Canada: Gas prices drive fuel-efficient car sales

CBC News - Higher gasoline prices drove consumers toward more fuel-efficient choices but not out of the new vehicle market in Canada last month as many automakers reported improved and even record-breaking sales.

Overall car sales were up eight per cent to 75,680 in April from 70,061 in the same month last year. Truck sales grew at a slightly slower pace, up 5.9 per cent to 84,262, from 79,597 last April, according to an industry report by DesRosiers Automotive Consultants.

It was also the best month for automakers as a group so far this year, with sales up 6.9 per cent to 159,942 from 149,658 last April. Sales for the first four months of the year are up 3.6 per cent, the industry report said.

Ford Motor Company of Canada led in sales, with an increase of nine per cent to 25,548, its best April in 11 years.

Ford sales for the 12 months ending in April were also nine per cent above the same period a year earlier.

It saw car sales rise 33 per cent, while truck sales were up three per cent.

Chrysler Canada, the second best-selling automaker in Canada last month, said sales were up 16 per cent to 23,837, its second-strongest figures in the month since 2002.